LOOK BEFORE YOU LISTEN

New Zealand Listener, Volume 4, Issue 95, 18 April 1941, Page 10

LOOK BEFORE YOU LISTEN

P KR A Ruh Through The Records

By

B.

W.

Boy Preacher and Tea Taster BRANSBY WILLIAMS, who introduced Dickens characters into the Music Halls, started life as a tea-taster. He then became-a wall-paper designer, and during that period hecame a boy preacher wita Dr. Harry Grattan Grunness. He next turned to vaudeville, his first "turn" being imitations of famous actors in favourite roles, including Irving as Matthias in "The Bells,’ and Charles Wyndham as "David Garrick." Finally in 1897 he began his famous Dickens character impersonations — Micawber, Peggotty. Bill Sikes, Pecksniff, Sydney Carton, Mrs. Gamp, and a host of others, 1YA listeners will hear Bransby Williams, entertainer, on Tuesday, April 22. Strange Wedding Present of the strangest wedding presents in musical history came to the Russian, .Serge Koussevitzky. On the eve of his wedding to the daughter of one of the wealthiest merchants in pre-Soviet Russia he was asked by the bride’s father what he would like as a gift. Money? A palatial home? But he wanted none of these (Continued on next page)

LOOK BEFORE YOU LISTEN (Continued from previous page) things. He wanted a complete symphony orchestra, to do with as he wished-and legend says that he got it. The Boston Symphony Orchestra, under Serge Koussevitzky will be heard from 4YA on Thursday, April 24. The Hulberts at Cambridge

OTH Jack and Claude Hulbert were educated at Caius College, Cambridge, and it was there that Jack (born 1892) first showed signs of his present flaire for the theatre, Claude (born 1900) followed his brother at Caius College and in due course became a member of the Footlights Dramatic Club. The Hulbert Brothers, comedians, will be heard from 1YA on Saturday, April 26. Many Roads to the BBC LIVE GROVES got into broadcasting through the Army of Occupation4 in Cologne. She went out to see her father, sang to the troops, and met her father’s friend, Jack MacDonell (later of the BBC), who was a member of the same mess. A few years later she met him in the Strand, and the rest is broadcasting history. Olive Groves, soprano, will be heard at 3YL on Friday, April 25. A Liszt Memory. ONE of the very few surviving pupils of Liszt is Dr. Felix Weingartnet who makes it clear in his autobiography that his memories of the great man are not all pleasant. Once, following a concert, there was a banquet, and it was one o'clock when Liszt left the table. "TI generally get up at three," he said on the way to the carriage, " but seeing

that it is so late. I will make it five o’clock for once. I should like my coffee then please," The coffee was there on time, but in case it was not enough to put the master in a favourable mood for teaching, a large bottle of "Three Stars" went with it. ~* : Felix Weingartner conducts the London Symphony Orchestra at 2YA on Sunday, April 20.